Description of Position:

The CSU Crisis Clinician (QMHP) is supervised by the Manager, Outpatient Nursing Services Psychiatry and CSU and provides care to patients in crisis utilizing the Robert Young Center principles of Trauma Informed Care.  The QMHP provides acute care to individuals who are experiencing a psychiatric crisis and uses expertise to serve patients with complex behavioral health presentations that cannot be served in a behavioral health outpatient care setting.  They perform crisis assessment, formulate a diagnosis, and implement acute care counseling interventions with patients.  They act as a patient advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. The QMHP assesses patients for risk of suicide attempts, plans treatment modalities, and coordinates treatment plans. In the crisis role, the QMHP consults with a medical provider to recommend the least restrictive plan of care.  They also gather information about community mental health needs or resources and make referrals that could be used in conjunction with outpatient therapy.  The QMHP often interacts with child protective services and works closely with county social workers and parents, collaborating on the plan of care.  Patients are seen by the QMHP in person, via telehealth within multiple local Emergency Departments (ED), and may be assessed on inpatient units. 

The QMHP is recognized under the Medicaid Community Mental Health Services Rule 140 and may provide clinical supervision to Mental Health Professionals (MHP) and may train students assigned in the department.  The QMHP delivers customer service and works cooperatively with other departments, maintains accurate clinical documentation, and demonstrates Trinity’s principles and values when interacting with clients, families, visitors, physicians, and coworkers.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

% of Time

(annually)

Key Accountability

Assessment

The LMHP conducts face-to-face and telemedicine crisis assessments with patients to determine their specific needs. Patients in crisis may require immediate referral to medical services, assistance with concrete needs, such as food and clothing, or they may be in a state of psychological shock and require psychiatric intervention through inpatient admission.

Advocacy

Patients in crisis often enter a state of psychological shock and withdrawal as a way of handling the aftermath of the disaster or crisis situation. They may be momentarily unable to arrange for their immediate needs. The LMHP provides temporary forms of advocacy to help clients meet these needs and may include explaining the patient’s needs to multiple service providers.  The goal of the LMHP is to help patients regain sufficient levels of functioning so that they are able to resume advocating for themselves.

Referral

·     Providing accurate and timely referrals is another important responsibility of the LMHP.  They must know the state of Illinois and Iowa’s admission criteria for inpatient psychiatric services, and often mentor clinicians within the agency about the patient’s mental health rights according to the state’s mental health codes.  They must be well-informed about community resources and different types of governmental assistance available to survivors of certain crisis situations. After assessing a client's needs and providing brief counseling, a crisis counselor refers the patient to the appropriate resource for continued assistance and treatment.

80%

Key Accountability

Clinical Supervision (non-managerial)

The Crisis Clinician (QMHP) may provide clinical supervision to their team members when they themselves have received clinical supervision from a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP) in order to meet the State of Illinois, Department of Human Services (DHS) Rule 132 requirement for providing Medicaid services.  Each non independently licensed clinician who provides outpatient billable activities is required to receive 60 minutes of supervision per month.

10%

Basic UPH Performance Criteria        

·       Demonstrates the UnityPoint Health Values and Standards of Behaviors as well as adheres to policies and procedures and safety guidelines.

·       Demonstrates ability to meet business needs of department with regular, reliable attendance.

·       Employee maintains current licenses and/or certifications required for the position.

·       Practices and reflects knowledge of HIPAA, TJC, DNV, OSHA and other federal/state regulatory agencies guiding healthcare.

·       Completes all annual education and competency requirements within the calendar year.

·       Is knowledgeable of hospital and department compliance requirements for federally funded healthcare programs (e.g., Medicare and Medicaid) regarding fraud, waste and abuse.  Brings any questions or concerns regarding compliance to the immediate attention of hospital administrative staff.  Takes appropriate action on concerns reported by department staff related to compliance.

10%

Disclaimer: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Minimum Requirements

Education:

·   Counselors and Social Workers must possess at least a master's degree

Experience:

License(s)/Certification(s):

·   Professional license in the state of Illinois and Iowa

Illinois:

o  A Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

OR

o  A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

AND

Iowa:

o  Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

· CPR

· CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention)   

o   De-escalation Training within 6 months of hire then, annually

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

· Exceptional critical thinking skills

· Ability to perform an accurate crisis assessment and determine a mental health diagnosis

· Able to separate therapy and counseling to create a safe disposition related to the patient’s crisis presentation

· Works independently at times

· Able to problem solve in emergent situations

· Ability to collaborate with a variety of personnel and personalities

· Great interpersonal skills

· Positive and professional attitude

· Able to plan and organize the work

· Able to work in multiple computer applications (i.e. Visionworks, EPIC)

· Efficient keyboarding skills

· Ability to be flexible and change course of work assignment

· Able to support a team work environment

· Good written and oral communication

Reads/writes, comprehends, and speaks fluent English